Rudolf Ernest Gerber

Rudy was born in Bern, Switzerland, Feb. 4, 1928, to Rudolf and Sophie Gerber. He was the eldest of six children.

At a young age, education was very important to him, which led him to pursue a degree in engineering before being enlisted in the Swiss Army.

Rudy decided to travel to America upon the end of his time in the Swiss Army, at the end of World War II.

He traveled across America until he reached California. Upon arriving there, he brought a ranch in Herald, Calif. He then met and married his lovely wife, Lina, and together they raised Angus cattle on his ranch.

He then served a short while in the Marines during the Korean War.

Rudy and Lina had three children together: Rudy Jr., David and Angela.

Rudy worked as a millwright and constructional engineer throughout the West Coast. He built several feed and processing plants, and had Gerber and Songs Construction.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lina, and his son, Rudy.

He later married Judy Thrasher and they lived in Arkansas together until they were divorced in 2010.

Shortly after, he moved to Oregon to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Rudy is survived by his son David and his wife, Peg; his daughter Angela Lang and her husband, Stan; and three beautiful granddaughters.

Throughout his life he collected bulls and loved metal working and welding. Rudy worked hard his entire life to provide the best for his family and will be missed dearly.

A graveside service will be held Friday, Jan. 4, at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, Calif., at 2 p.m..

Burnsís Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.